Taricco prepared for worst

English Barclays Premiership

Mauricio Taricco takes a realistic stance to the squad game, now a feature of leading Premiership football clubs - even though it could cost him his place.

The Argentinian has shared left-back duties with big-money summer capture Ben Thatcher in pre-season but the L5m man from Wimbledon is expected to get the nod for the opener against Taricco's former club Ipswich Town on Saturday.

Yet Taricco said: "The manager told me and everybody that he wanted a bigger squad. Honestly, I think you need a big squad in the Premiership otherwise you find at times you will struggle, when you get injuries or suspensions. Competition is good for the club.

"If you are not playing you have to work hard knowing that you are in the plans and part of the squad. As long as that happens there are no problems.

"As long as everyone in the Premiership wants to have big squads, you need good players who are not playing all the time. That's what happens.

"You can look at any team now, just name one and you will see quality players not in the team week in, week out.

"There are going to be times if you haven't played for a long period that you will get a bit down, but you have to be strong and think that the chance will come. You have to be ready for when that happens.

"It would be disappointing to miss out against Ipswich but I would say that is football. You have to get on with it."